Adelaide United have added former Sydney FC captain Mark Rudan to their list just a day before the A-League season kicks off. One of the A-League pioneers and an inaugural Championship winner, Rudan has quit European football to come back to Australia and join the Reds.

Rudan who was with Liechtenstein club FC Vaduz in the Swiss Challenge League and previously with Avispa Fukuoka in Japan will be a massive boost to Adelaide in this season's Hyundai A-League and Asian Champions League campaigns.

The 33-year old followed his Sydney FC coach and former German World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski to Japan and then over to Europe since leaving Sydney FC.

Rudan told tribalfootball.com, "I am really very happy with what I have seen in Adelaide this week, both the football and the City will be great for me.

"I am bringing my family with me to stay in Adelaide and what a great place to bring up my children.

"I had to leave them in Sydney the last few years as I pursued my football career but the reason I came back early was that I wanted to be with them.

"So to be able to live with my family in Adelaide while I try and help the team go for silverware in the A-League and Asia will be very satisfying.

"I really rate the feeling that Aurelio Vidmar and his support staff of Carl Veart and Phil Stubbins have created at this club.

"They seem determined to win and with the quality of players like Dodd, Pantelis and Fyfe as well as the others then I am sure the other teams will fear Adelaide United."